Collapsible tube



1,605,914 M. R. BISHOP ET AL COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Filed Sept. 28 1925 nuentoz M. R. BISHOP. 35 FULLBISHOP. 3

affozuu Patented Nov: 9 1 926." I

- UNITED ESTA nearing. Bisnor an!) FRANKLIN 1.. 315302, or cLEvEtanm-omo.

coma-senate TUBE.

Application filed September 28, .1925. Serial No. 59,085.

- tached to the'discharge mouth ofthe tube and which will be self-acting to cut off the supply cleanly and to seal the mouth ofthe tube against the admission of air at the close of each collapsing .operation.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Fig. 1 is a top viewof our improved squeezing device for a collapsible tube and Fig. 2 is a sectional view of said device together with a collapse ihle tube held therein and provided with our improved self-sealing delivery nipple. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible tube corresponding to the tubes sold generally with a removable screw cap. Fig. 4 is a perspective View ofa rubber nipple which may bc'substituted for the screw cap, and Figs. 5 and 6, are sectional views in difierent planes actually through said rubber nipple.

Fig. 7 1s a sectional view of a spring contracted band which may be used with the rubber nipple. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of same rubber nipple with a split spring ring sleeved thereon.

As shown, the collapsible tube T shown in the drawings exemplifies the common form of tube in general use having collapsible walls, a flattened end portion 2, and a screwthreaded extension or neck 3 of reduced diameter through which the contents of the tube is discharged, providing the screw cap (not shown) is removed. We substitute for this screw cap a rubber nipple N having a counterbored central opening 4 which communicates with a cross slit '5 extending through the top of the nipple. Preferably, slit 5 is merely a knife-cut to permit close contact of the opposing faces where severed so that when the contents of the tube is forced through central opening 4 the severed portions of the tube will be pressed apart to permit the material to escape in the form of a thin, flat strip. The upper and larger portion of central opening 4 is of smaller diameterthan the screw-threaded extension 3 of tube T so that the nipple may be firmly connected or fastened to the extension, and furtlier,"so that the upper part of the nipple will b xp d dn s l sban ial. g ee th drawing effect on the tip portion having slit o. In other words, in attaching the nipple the spreading of the upper half of the m ple having annular bead 6 causes aissevered sides of the tip art of the nipple to press more tightly toget er, thereby closing the slit tightly and sealin the entrance to opening 4 more effectively y reason of said attachment. The top ortion of the nipple .may be tapered or rib ed and grooved annnlarly as, shown to furtherfoster the selfclosingfand self-sealing'efi'ect, .and in additiona spring metal band 7 may be sleeved around the upper end of the nipple, and this band may he provided with spring tongues 8 adapted to overlap and press inwardly against the top portion of the nipple at each side of slit 5, thereby supplementing the inherent tension produced in the top portion when the nipple is sleeved over extension 3. In Fig. 8 we show a split wire ring 9 sleeved over the slitted top portion of: nipple N in lieu of a band 7 having tongues 8, the split ring being made of spring material to permit the severed sections to yield and spread apart under pressure from within. It should also be understood that the elasticity of the rubber will permit the material passing through the nipple to crowd slit 5' open, and that when spring tongue 8,. or a split ring 9, is used a greater restraint is placed on the passage of the material through the nipple, and that when the pressure on the tube is relieved and stopped the split portion of'the rubber nipple will close slit 5 tightly and cut-oft the flow of the material therethrough and also seal the entrance against admission of air, thereby preventing the hardening of certain kinds of materials which are dispensed in such tubes.

A nipple N such as described may be attached to and used withany collapsible tube containing dental paste. shaving cream, or any other similar plastic composition, and these tubes may be collapsed by hand as ordina rly practiced. However, such nipples are especially desirable and useful on collapsible tubes when placed within a power squeezing device, for example. a device such as shown in Figs. 1 and2 of the drawings, comprising a pair of rubber rollers 10 and 11. which are mounted on parallel shafts 12 and 13, journaled in an angular frame 14 having a supporting bracket 15. The shafts are provided with meshing gears 16 and 17 at one side oftl e frame, and a thumb p1ece18 thro istooneoitheshaftstoperrhitits rotationbyhand. Theflsitencdendfiofa tube T may be inserted between the rollers" and fed upwardly by the hsndwheel,

therein;I fieezing the contents otthe tube and e nipple will function efiectlvely as .desc

' rubber having a circular opening at one end -normally of less diameterthan the tube extension snd formed with a slit at the oppositeend connected to said circular opening by a short bore of lesser diameter than the discharge opening for said tube,.the wall surrounding said short and small bore being relatively thicker than the wall surrounding said opening, whereby the slitted. sides of the nipple are forcibly pressed together when the nipple is expanded and connected to the tube extension.

mouth thereof and nipple end,

2. A rubber attachment nipple for a collapsible tube having a nozzle with a central disch 2 opening, said ni plehaving a sl1 tted tip and a bore adapt to connect the slit with the central discharge opening in said nozzle, in combination with resilient clamping means adapted to constantly press the slitted sides of the tip together exce t when pressure is applied to the to cient to overcome the opposing pressure of said clamping means.

3. A rubber delivery nipple for collaps-. ible tubes, having a discharge opening, and resilient clamping means sleeved upon said nipple adapted normally to close said opening when pressure is removed from the tube.

4. A rubber attachment nipple for collapsible tubes, having an expansible connecting portion and a slitted tip portion, -and a spring member encirclin said nipple.

In testimony whereo we aflix our signatures.

MABEL R. BISHOP. FRANKLIN L. BISHOP. 

